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The key to Weller’s fate

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Illinois

Kristen McQueary takes on a subject that has perplexed many an outside observer over the years. How does Jerry Weller keep annhilating his opponents? First, she lays out some of the problems he faces this year.

His father-in-law, Efrain Rios Montt, is a former Guatemalan dictator for whom an arrest warrant was issued in July on charges of genocide, torture, illegal arrest and terrorism for a 1980s insurgency he orchestrated (with the support of the Reagan administration). […]

Weller’s campaign fund includes contributions from the interests of the now-indicted Jack Abramoff, the under-scrutiny Brent Wilkes and a telecommunications giant, Jeffrey Prosser, whom political bloggers label an international phone sex operator.

His address is largely a mystery. Does Weller actually live in the 11th District? Between flights to Washington, D.C., and Guatemala where his wife serves as a prominent government leader, he consistently faces questions about his residency. Reports filed with the U.S. House clerk show he owns two lots in Nicaragua; sold a home in Morris and lived in an apartment above the garage; owns a condo in Chicago; and, according to his campaign, built a larger home in Morris recently.

But then she runs through the counter-arguments and writes this key paragraph.

He manages to balance just the right mix of political prowess to keep bombshell stories from soiling his lapel. He brushes off criticism as political pettiness. He meets the needs of his district just enough to sustain a presence. And he raises money like a skilled Vegas gambler, ready at any moment to unleash a torrent of negative publicity about an opponent in the weeks leading up to Election Day.

She concludes that the trending Democratic Will County will be the key battleground if there is to be a race at all. Read the whole thing.

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 8:50 am

Comments

Jerry Weller is the ‘mud puppy’ of Illinois political life. Allegedly a ‘hog-farmer’ from Dwight, Weller has been stepped on, unhooked, bashed, and tossed back into the roiling waters under the Warner Bridge near Rt. 102.

In the early 1980’s, my late wife Mary and I were heading to Bishop Mac from our apartment in Bourbonais ( Burr Bone Is by the way) and traffic was snarled at Kennedy and Olivet University. Mary looked from the passenger side and said’ there is a retarded kid out in traffic - go help him get out of traffic -Now!’ I got out and Mary slid over to the wheel. I met not a ’special ed’ kid but the future US Congressman and Junta Hubby from rural Kankakee. We thought no way this guy gets elected. Reagan Revolution was all it took! He’s been here to stay!

Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 9:26 am
For the bible thumping GOP to keep electing this guy is beyond belief. As the article notes he manages to bring enough ” pork ” home and pounds his opponents with sleazy campaign ads paid for by questionable donors is exactly why we deserve a change. Wake up and boot this guy !

Comment by blue dog Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 9:49 am
I live in the part of McLean County that was “Gerrymandered” out of the Cong. Johnson’s district into Weller’s. The first election after reapportionment (2002?), I went into the polling booth thinking I was still in Johnson’s district. Imagine my surprise and disgust that I was now in Weller’s.

I have been to DC to visit congressmen from Illinois each year. Weller and Hyde’s office are the only two that say they don’t want to talk to anyone unless they are constituents. You may be part of a group that represents people in their district but they only want to meet with constituents and make that known upfront.

I RARELY see anywhere that Weller is visiting in McLean County unless it is to hand out pork and get a picture taken. With a predominately Republican base here, I feel Weller takes it for granted that he will get the votes with no effort. Sadly, he’s right.

Comment by Nearly Normal Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 9:51 am
Kristen McQuery did a great job of scratching the surface on this bottom feeder from Dwight. He is a dangerous liability to the most valuable farmland and farmers in America. You talk about a National treasure? Kankakee, Will, Grundy. Kendall, Vermillion, and Ford Counties are the most important soil-rich Counties in the State and possibley in the nation. Goofs like Jackson want to put runways on it and a mope like Weller would pave it.

Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 10:02 am
I hosted the videotaping the other day of a half-hour interview program with John Pavich (which will air in Chicago sometime in October and may air in communities throughout the 11th Congressional District). While the subject of of the incumbent’s father-in-law came up during the broadcast, more time was spent on discussing on Cong. Weller being out of touch with the needs and concerns of the people of the 11th District(and how Pavich would respond differently should he prevail on November 7).

It appears from my vantage point at least that Pavich is gathering poitical strength below the radar screen so to speak (which I suppose is the style one gets from a candidate who formerly worked in the CIA). The Pavich campaign has been picking up a number of volunteers to assist it from Cook County (perhaps to avoid having to take an active role in the Tood Stroger race, these volunteers are gravitating to the nearest hot race located totally outside of Cook County, which would be the 11th Congressional contest).

Eight weeks remains before Election Day. I think it would be foolhardy to dismiss Pavich’s chances, as the number of highly unusual factors in this race makes traditional tracking methods ineffective.

RANDALL SHERMAN
Secretary/Treasurer, Illinois Committee for Honest Government
Chicago

Comment by Randall Sherman Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 10:50 am
Nice work Randall. If the media would spend some time on the Real liablities to public service this this nut-ball, Illinois would be in better shape. Keep at them!

Comment by Pat Hickey Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 11:15 am
So do Jerry’s in-laws officially make him a Banana Republican?

Comment by Still Anon Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 4:15 pm
Jerry Weller has been a constant and forceful vote for residents in his district. People like Pat are one voice out of 500,000. Unforunately, the vocal minority are the ones that draw comments. Just a few days ago, I drove through parts of Jerry’s district and I saw economic growth in Bourbonnais (ber-bon-ay), wildlife preservation in Will County, preservation of valuable farmland in Coal City, and expansion of Veterans Parkway/I-55 in McLean County. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of leadership and the ability to muster votes in the House of Representatives. More than that, Jerry sees the value of people and helped me get my career start in 1993 when he was my State Representative. He took a chance on a young kid from St. Anne Illinois and because of him, I was able to get my foot in the door. My family never contributed campaign donations to him (in fact my mom barely knew his name) yet he was willing to help someone from his district as a young member of the Illinois House of Representatives. The bottom line in this election is this: is the district better now because of Jerry Weller? From what I saw last weekend during my trip to northeast Illinois, I think people like Pat should be thankful for the extra tax dollars that have been redistributed to areas near Bishop Mac. I thought redistribution of wealth is what democrats believed in…

Comment by David Chayer Tuesday, Sep 12, 06 @ 11:29 pm
David,
Rep. Weller is well-served by an articulate and forthright man like yourself. You are a good advocate and remember the opportunity Mr. Weller offered you; and those are admirable qualities - in you, my friend.

Comment by Pat Hickey Wednesday, Sep 13, 06 @ 6:50 am
Thanks, Pat. There are not too many elected officials that I publicly praise, but Jerry is (and will always be) one of them. There were not too many young adults from Kankakee County who were able to get internships or fellowships in Springfield but Jerry helped me and I will always be grateful. Even when he was elected Congress, he and his staff were always accessible when I visited or called with concerns. During my recent visit to Bourbonnais, I was very impressed with the growth and economic development I saw. His ability to work with local, state and federal leaders to get projects for his district is invaluable. I would hate to see that disapper for the sake of political expediency. Thanks again for the kind words.

Comment by David Chayer Wednesday, Sep 13, 06 @ 7:49 am
Jerry Weller has always had the support of the Illinois GOP when he got started in politics. George Ryan and Jerry have always been supported by one of the largest local unions (Local 150) in Will County. George and Jerry received the union’s votes as well as their large union financial contributions. In return, George and Jerry placed the treasurer of this Will County large local union on the Board of Directors of JADA which had control over who got the jobs at the construction of one of the largest intermodal shipping facilities and industrial facilities in the nation called Center Point Industries. This former U.S. Army Ammunitions Plant of over 20,000 acres located 12 miles south of Joliet, Illinois was converted into a mammoth industrial area. It created over 15,000 jobs and a large amount of union work. This large Will County union local 150 had several of it’s union members appointed to key positions at this huge industrial area’s JADA Board of Directors along with other key positions in it’s management.

Jerry and George knew how to assure themselves of the future union vote and financial support. It was a smart political move/strategy. But, when Rod Blagojevich got elected and George Ryan came under investigation, the “sweet deal” that local union 150 had going suddenly dried up. Local Union 150’s Treasurer was replaced on the JADA Board of Directors by another union leader (who was a loyal Democrat, of course). This new Democrat union leader from another local Will County union was appointed to this powerful position by the new Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
The Illinois Democrats have (for some unknown reason) never been able to run a viable Democrat candidate with name recognition against Jerry Weller. They have always chosen candidates that no one has ever heard of (an obscure Wilmington, Illinois attorney named Van Duyne one year, Tari Renner, an unknown county board member from Bloomington, Illinois the last time and now a nice kid named John Pavich from God-knows-where who once again, nobody has ever heard of).
It is as if the Illinois Democrat Party is one of Jerry Weller’s biggest support groups. Most of the Republicans in Will County laugh about it every time the Illinois Democrat Party comes up with another “no-name” candidate to challenge Congressman Weller.

Until the Will County and Illinois Democrat Party (someday) gets a viable and “known” Democrat challenger for Weller, they will always be regarded as a laughing stock in this US Congressional race. The only Democrat in Will County who would give Congressman Weller a “run for the money” for Weller’s political position would be Will County Executive and former Illinois State Senator Larry Walsh. Walsh has the required popularity and name recognition. He is also held in high regard for his honesty by both Will County and Grundy County Republicans and Democrats alike.

As long as the Illinois Democrat Party continues to choose their normal lightweight contenders to run against Congressman Jerry Weller, Jerry has “a lock” on this political position. He “owns” it.

Comment by Beowulf Thursday, Sep 14, 06 @ 7:46 am